RandyL

Hi neon; In order for someone to help you it really would help if we had some more information. Graphics card and model number of the Pavillion for instance. Look in Device Manager under Disply Adapters for info about your card. Right click My Computer. Click properties. Click Device Manager. Click the + by Display Adapters. Also while you are there do you see a yellow ? or ! by i? You may also want to see if there are any driver updates for it on the HP site. http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html As for the model number of your Pavillion try holding down the Ctrl and Alt keys then press S on your keyboard. Otherwise look for a nameplate on the front or a sticker on the side or a label on the back. As for the system requirements for Portal for anyone who wants to know these are what's listed at the site; Minimum: 1.7 GHz Processor, 512MB RAM, DirectX 8 level Graphics Card, Windows Vista/XP/2000, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection Recommended: Pentium 4 processor (3.0GHz, or better), 1GB RAM, DirectX 9 level Graphics Card, Windows Vista/XP/2000, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection neon if you could find out what Norton product you have please do. Two antivirus programs can cause trouble; RandyL

Hi Mike; Glad to have you here. Everyone here will do their best for you. I hope to see you here for many years. It's a great place to learn. RandyL

Perhaps that's a clue. Who is your Internet Service Provider and what type of connection do you use. Dial-up, DSL, Cable?

Hello and welcome. Happy to have you here.

Hi Hiaburi; Networking isn't my thing but if you'll please be patient there is a member who is excellent with networking issues who should be able to help. RandyL

Hi tiramasuzi; According to Microsoft you can't change the default icons for folders in XP. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310192 Have a read to understand more; RandyL

Hi Crowley; Welcome to the site. We'll do our best to help you. RandyL

Hi Crowley; It's possible that these errors are caused by conflicting programs. Have you installed any new programs lately? It could be that you still have a virus/trojan/spyware/adware issue. You did say your scans detected trojans and spyware. Did you update the programs first? I would also run SuperAntiSpyware. http://www.superantispyware.com/ Also try running Housecalls on-line scan. http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ RandyL

Hi again; Also try running Spybot, Adaware, SuperAntiSpyware and your antivirus program from Safe Mode. Maybe a complete scan and removal from Housecall will help too. Here is the link. http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ Keep in mind that if you can access System Restore you will want to turn it off, then on to clear it so the bugs don't come back from there. RandyL

Hi again Virgil; In addition to the above have you done any anti-spyware scans after updating your software? Maybe it's viruses or trojans or spyware since IE and Firefox are both acting up. Have you updated to the latest version of Firefox? Look at this link. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/community/columns/ietopten.mspx Check your Hosts files. Clean your temp files (clean Firefoxes temp files too). I know everything there won't apply. It is possible though that your registry cleaner may haved removed the wrong thing but start with the basics first. RandyL

I'm glad you got it fixed. System Restore can be a good life line. Thanks for posting back.

Hi Michel; I really would try re-installing Norton. Just adding the file may not work. In Windows I think it's in C\Windows\System32. But it might also be in a Norton directory. RandyL

Hi Virgil; What firewall are you using? Have you done any antivirus scans?

Fantastic and thanks for letting us know. RandyL

Check this link and see if it applies to your Help problem. http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startmenuhelp.htm RandyL

Hi Virgil; I don't really know. Have you tried setting IE to the default settings?

Hi again; If all you want to do is change the computer name it is quite simple. In my opinion though if you bought a used computer you should re-install and start clean. Back-up your drivers and data first and be prepared for a loss of second hand programs. RandyL

Hi thevoid and welcome to the site; I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. Are you asking if you need to re-activate Windows? If so then no unless you re-install. Even then that's not an issue. If it's OEM then you shouldn't have to do anything as that's a matter between the owner and the manufacturer. Unless it's a Dell ownership shouldn't be an issue when it comes to support unless it's a warranty issue. There is no free support from Microsoft on Windows OEM so I don't understand the need if you are trying to register Windows. Just trying to understand what it is you are asking. RandyL

Hi matty; In SIW look in Hardware>Devices>Display adapters. It also appears you have other problems listed in Device Manager. Try re-installing your drivers from Device Manager. Something may have gone wrong on your previously installed game re-install. You might also want to try a restore before this installation. By the way are you actually experiencing any problems? What is the game? Is this a dual boot system. I've seen your post on the UBUNTU forums. More information on your system would be helpful. It seems you may have more then one issue here. RandyL

I know this is an old post but; All the clues are probably here. Trojans, Viruses and spyware abound most likely. These are classic symtoms. In addition I always suspect the worse when I see P2P programs like Limewire. The best solution is probably a COMPLETE re-install at this point. Then get protection and watch what you install. RandyL

Hi Virgil; Since it's only been a couple weeks this might be a good time to try System Restore. You can always undo the restore if it doesn't work. Be careful with those registry cleaners. RandyL

Hi postie; I assume you are using the trialware version or bought it. What is the difference between your two computers? That could lead to some clues. Hope to hear from you soon. RandyL

Hi michelangelo; If I understand right you only have trouble typing in the @ symbol on your email account. It does work otherwise? Sorry I am not familiar with orangemail. RandyL

Hi Chiffy; welcome to the forums. Pardon me for asking but is this a desktop and not a laptop? Are you saying it doesn't have the usual vga Port? RandyL

Hi Greenbeing; Could you please start a new thread in the forum. There is a better chance of getting help that way. By the way it's nice to see you here. Glad you came and hope we can help; RandyL